Sunday, July 1, 2012

INTRODUCTION

We are a working farm and livery stables in picturesque Cullenagh, Kilmeadan (also, Cullinagh, Kilmeaden) on the banks of the River Dawn in County Waterford, Ireland. We are located on the Waterford Greenway in the Suir Valley Region, with direct access from the cycle paths.

Stabling facilities include two American barns, a 40m X 60m floodlit arena, riverside and woodland farm trails, spacious tack rooms, security gates and individual turnout paddocks. Holiday livery is also available for riders and their horses.

As members of Social Farming Ireland, we host year round projects for participants of all ages and abilities and welcome inquiries on behalf of individuals and agencies.

Self catering accommodation is provided at The Thatch Cottage in the beautiful seaside village of Annestown, which is situated on the Copper Coast, just ten minutes from the stables.

The cottage is nestled in the Anne Valley and it overlooks the sea and Annestown Beach. A network of cliffside paths stretches between the beach and the neighbouring villages. This stunning part of the Copper Coast is an artist's haven and guests have full access to the art studio at Cullenagh.

Fringing the Waterford Greenway, we are convenient for beaches, mountains and coastline, character pubs, restaurants, castles, historic houses and gardens as well as horse racing, music and theatre.

For further information, please contact Evie by phone at 083 8770992 or by email at cullenaghstables@gmail.com or through our Cullenagh Stables & Farm Facebook page.

Dawn Run's Place in Cheltenham History

Woodland Trail

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History of Cullenagh

The working farm and stables at Cullenagh developed around a milling industry dating back to the 1600's which, through the ages, played a significant role in the region's history.

In 1776, William Phair purchased from the Gamble brothers a tuck mill at Cullenagh, while the paper mill and the remains of an earlier steel mill remained within the original farm.

Phair called the tuck mill 'Phair Brook' - later to become Fairbrook. 'Tuck mills' were once used to improve the quality of woven fabric by repeatedly combing it, producing a warm worsted fabric. Before tuck mills, woven cloth had to be pounded or 'tucked' by being trodden in troughs.

By 1824, there were 140 men, women and children working at the Fairbrook mill.

In 1847, Patrick Stephenson bought the mill at Fairbrook and used it during the Famine to grind Indian corn. Later he established a woollen mill, and the red brick and stone buildings were frequently suffused with steam and flumes.

In 1875, Fairbrook Mill was acquired by Patrick Stephenson's two sons, and, by the early 1900's, it was producing uniforms and bedding for soldiers on the Westetn Front. The mill was facilitated by the former Waterford Dungarvan and Lismore Railyway Line (a private line funded in part by the Duke of Devonshire), which intersected Cullenagh. Fairbrook Mill continued to operate until 1926.

After Fairbrook Mill came into the possession of Dutch artists, Wout Muller and Clary Mastenbroek, the scenic surroundings were tranformed into a magnificent walled garden and a museum for contemporary figurative art.

The neighbouring farm at Cullenagh has had its old stables revived and the Connolly family has integrated the historic landmarks along the farm into cross country woodland and riverside trails.

Steam trains once had a stopping point on the farm's Old Quarry Trail, formerly called the Queen Anne Way, which follows the faintly visible remains of an earlier steel mill whose arches and tunnel are now neatly woven into the surrounding farmland. The railway line linked Fishguard Port to Lismore, County Waterford. Riding trails now follow paths over and under its old stone bridges.

The carefully preserved remains of Fairbrook Mill fringe part of today's equestrian trail which follows paths alongside the historic Mill Street Houses, the old chimney, the mills' former weirs and mill races as well as through belts of arable land, woodland and alongside the ancient spa at Gortnaclode.

Within an oasis of abundant vegetation and oak trees, much of the equestrian trail is flanked by the River Dawn, its trout weaving paths beneath dipping branches and under the watchful eye of the great blue heron.